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Pretty Maids: Kingmaker

Melodic Hard Rock/Metal

5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 02.11.2016

They're neither maids, nor pretty.* But Denmark's Pretty Maids can rock hard, and have been doing so for nearly 30 years. If I counted correctly, the iconic melodic heavy metal band arrives with their fifteenth studio album, Kingmaker.

Pretty Maids

Probably the first best thing to say about Pretty Maids and the album is that both are uniquely consistent. The band never really digresses from their hard rock, groove infused melodic heavy metal. Accordingly, a Pretty Maids song is big on harmony and melody, whether by brisk guitar riffs or vocal arrangements. Ken Hammer can still lay down energetic riffs and blistering leads. Ronnie Atkins still sings clean and melodic, easily swaying between forceful and peaceful.

Then they can trip you up with their varied song arrangements. For instance, Pretty Maids can come at your hard and fast, allowing the heavy metal to do the talking, with songs such as When God Took The Day Off, Kingmaker, or especially Civilized Monsters and King of the Right Here and Now, both are hard charging and roaring.

Pretty Maids - Kingmaker

Alternatively, they can deliver songs a bit dialed back, turning on hard rock groove and almost AOR presentation. By example, there's Heaven's Little Devil, Last Beauty On Earth, and the simply stunning Face The World, all of which could pass as arena ready rock anthems. Bottom line? Once more, Denmark's Pretty Maids deliver the goods: high energy melodic heavy metal infused with hard rock groove, melody, and harmony. Solid stuff, and easily recommended.

*I've wanted to make that joke for years. Sorry guys.

Pretty Maids - Face The World

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Once more, with Kingmaker, Denmark's Pretty Maids deliver the goods: high energy melodic heavy metal infused with hard rock groove, melody, and harmony. Solid stuff, and easily recommended.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]